[IMG MGMT] Squiggles, Trees, Ribbons and Spirals: My Collection of Women’s Health, Beauty and Support Group Logos as the Stages of Life in Semi-Particular Order

Editors’ Note: IMG MGMT is a series of image based essays produced by artists. This week’s invited artist is Shana Moulton. Born in Oakhurst, CA, Moultan is a Brooklyn-based video and performance artist. She studied at UC Berkeley, Carnegie Mellon, and De Ateliers in Amsterdam. Moutlon has performed at The Kitchen, Performa 09, and Electronic Arts Intermix and her work has been exhibited at Art in General and the Migros Museum in Zurich.

Yes, yes, 1000 times yes! My favorite is the women’s profiles evolving into Nebraska. Great essay.

http://hypothete.com Hypothete

Yes, yes, 1000 times yes! My favorite is the women’s profiles evolving into Nebraska. Great essay.

http://neditpasmoncoeur.blogspot.com Leah Sandals

Awesome! I feel like this is an art-crit piece that reaches out to the new daily-chewable-chocolate-flavoured-vitamin-d consumer in me. And I mean that seriously.

http://neditpasmoncoeur.blogspot.com Leah Sandals

Awesome! I feel like this is an art-crit piece that reaches out to the new daily-chewable-chocolate-flavoured-vitamin-d consumer in me. And I mean that seriously.

http://neditpasmoncoeur.blogspot.com Leah Sandals

Awesome! I feel like this is an art-crit piece that reaches out to the new daily-chewable-chocolate-flavoured-vitamin-d consumer in me. And I mean that seriously.

stephd

amazing!

stephd

amazing!

stephd

amazing!

http://benjaminbruneau.com Benjamin Bruneau

This is almost painful to experience… so enlightening, but it makes me cringe. Really, incredible.

http://benjaminbruneau.com Benjamin Bruneau

This is almost painful to experience… so enlightening, but it makes me cringe. Really, incredible.

http://www.digitalmediatree.com/sallymckay/ sally

This is chilling. I feel horror and dread. Great collection!

http://www.digitalmediatree.com/sallymckay/ sally

This is chilling. I feel horror and dread. Great collection!

http://www.digitalmediatree.com/sallymckay/ sally

This is chilling. I feel horror and dread. Great collection!

ola

wonderful, shana!!!!!!! <3

ola

wonderful, shana!!!!!!! <3

http://www.jeremybailey.net jeremy bailey

this makes my face smile

http://www.jeremybailey.net jeremy bailey

this makes my face smile

http://littletinyfish.com Little Tiny Fish

So tell me…are women body conscious?

ward

yes

http://littletinyfish.com Little Tiny Fish

So tell me…are women body conscious?

ward

yes

Paul

Wow a good 25% + of those look like vaginas.

http://iamoffendedbecause.blogspot.com Ally

ROFLCOPTER! Because that is totes what this is about right?

http://iamoffendedbecause.blogspot.com Ally

ROFLCOPTER! Because that is totes what this is about right?

Paul

Wow a good 25% + of those look like vaginas.

http://iamoffendedbecause.blogspot.com Ally

ROFLCOPTER! Because that is totes what this is about right?

amandalbs

curious if there are any examples that fit within these motifs that actually are designed well or are appropriate to their organization’s stated goals.

incandescere

Thank you. Some of these are actually truly fitting for their organizations and are well designed. If anything, this collection just implicates a lack of originality found in web design overall. M’eh.

incandescere

Thank you. Some of these are actually truly fitting for their organizations and are well designed. If anything, this collection just implicates a lack of originality found in web design overall. M’eh.

amandalbs

curious if there are any examples that fit within these motifs that actually are designed well or are appropriate to their organization’s stated goals.

amandalbs

curious if there are any examples that fit within these motifs that actually are designed well or are appropriate to their organization’s stated goals.

amandalbs

curious if there are any examples that fit within these motifs that actually are designed well or are appropriate to their organization’s stated goals.

incandescere

Thank you. Some of these are actually truly fitting for their organizations and are well designed. If anything, this collection just implicates a lack of originality found in web design overall. M’eh.

http://www.rocketslide.com AnnWithNoE

Wow, women sure do like to dance. And hold their arms up over their heads.

http://www.rocketslide.com AnnWithNoE

Wow, women sure do like to dance. And hold their arms up over their heads.

http://a2alien.com AA

I would love to see a follow up depicting “good” logos or marks depicting women. What would the author (and/or commenters) like to see as an inclusive image that symbolizes women? What would this community design without the use of swooshes?

Very interesting image essay. It definitely gives the designers something to think about.. and a reminder to stretch themselves.

http://a2alien.com AA

I would love to see a follow up depicting “good” logos or marks depicting women. What would the author (and/or commenters) like to see as an inclusive image that symbolizes women? What would this community design without the use of swooshes?

Very interesting image essay. It definitely gives the designers something to think about.. and a reminder to stretch themselves.

http://a2alien.com AA

I would love to see a follow up depicting “good” logos or marks depicting women. What would the author (and/or commenters) like to see as an inclusive image that symbolizes women? What would this community design without the use of swooshes?

Very interesting image essay. It definitely gives the designers something to think about.. and a reminder to stretch themselves.

http://poeticine.blogspot.com/ Tobiah

All these images remind me of stretching.

http://poeticine.blogspot.com/ Tobiah

All these images remind me of stretching.

http://poeticine.blogspot.com/ Tobiah

All these images remind me of stretching.

http://poeticine.blogspot.com/ Tobiah

All these images remind me of stretching.

http://twitter.com/laguiri laguiri

The problem is not that the logos are bad or not inclusive. the problem is the lack of originality.

http://a2alien.com AA

I would love to see a follow up depicting “good” logos or marks depicting women. What would the author (and/or commenters) like to see as an inclusive image that symbolizes women? What would this community design without the use of swooshes?

Very interesting image essay. It definitely gives the designers something to think about.. and a reminder to stretch themselves.

http://poeticine.blogspot.com/ Tobiah

All these images remind me of stretching.

Mike

I’d like to see where Wymen’s Ware (Vancouver toy store) fits in here!

Mike

I’d like to see where Wymen’s Ware (Vancouver toy store) fits in here!

Mike

I’d like to see where Wymen’s Ware (Vancouver toy store) fits in here!

Mike

I’d like to see where Wymen’s Ware (Vancouver toy store) fits in here!

Mike

I’d like to see where Wymen’s Ware (Vancouver toy store) fits in here!

Well it’s soooo easy to knock on logos you like. Saying crap is so easy out these days. If you think u are geniuses, then suggest a better way.

Just out of curiosity…what would you define as a successful logo for women?
I dare you to post them!

GJane

Well it’s soooo easy to knock on logos you like. Saying crap is so easy out these days. If you think u are geniuses, then suggest a better way.

Just out of curiosity…what would you define as a successful logo for women?
I dare you to post them!

Troy

I fail to see any correlation

Troy

I fail to see any correlation

Troy

I fail to see any correlation

Troy

I fail to see any correlation

http://sobsister.com chelsed

i actually worked as a designer for a women’s org and struggled with this. there really isnt a “hip” way to portray women. the bathroom women icon is patronizing; these abstract squiggles and spirals appeal to an audience of women i havent yet encountered; so i just used the general woman symbol–but even then i feel like it’s TOO gender segregated. the problem is men dont HAVE a gender. men’s football is football. men’s soccer is soccer, etc etc– they dont need distinction. what is the symbol for women NOW?

J.B.

As a general thought about design, the solution is probably to make a logo not to represent “women” but to represent the focus or purpose of the organization. Not that the design shouldn’t target women or be evocative of feminine qualities, but I think the point here is that these designers think “woman” and stop thinking.

Honestly, you could probably do a similar post about any number of groups dealing with the same demographic or cause (e.g., students, churches, immigration). Mediocre design isn’t generally about total lack of technical skill but lack of creativity and originality. People go with their first or second idea, which is the same first or second idea everyone has, resulting in a handful of variations. And cash-strapped non-profits are more likely to shop Logo-Mart than hire someone who provides focused branding services.

Also, one of these is the Tempur-Pedic logo, so there’s that.

Melocoton

“the point here is that these designers think â€œwomanâ€ and stop thinking.”

Agreed. Which is why these dancing positivity squiggles strike me as so patronizing. In their way, more patronizing than the bathroom symbol because at least the bathroom lady isn’t pretending.

http://ladiesofapartment3g.blogspot.com Maggie

Agreed, it can be a tough nut to crack to create a women’s logo without using pastels and soft lines. I haven’t worked for a women’s organization, but I do wonder, even if you have a designer that thinks outside the box, how many women’s organizations will go for an outside-the-box design? The pink and the swooshes may not scream “high design,” but there is a strong brand here. You wouldn’t look at any of these logos and think “is this a logo for a women’s organization or a corporate technology start-up/federal institution/higher education facility?”

But just typing that make me think that the problem is that the ideas of “women’s org” and, say, “higher education” are mutually exclusive… unless you put a little cap and gown on a swooshy lady, I guess.

It’s a conundrum!

http://ladiesofapartment3g.blogspot.com Maggie

Agreed, it can be a tough nut to crack to create a women’s logo without using pastels and soft lines. I haven’t worked for a women’s organization, but I do wonder, even if you have a designer that thinks outside the box, how many women’s organizations will go for an outside-the-box design? The pink and the swooshes may not scream “high design,” but there is a strong brand here. You wouldn’t look at any of these logos and think “is this a logo for a women’s organization or a corporate technology start-up/federal institution/higher education facility?”

But just typing that make me think that the problem is that the ideas of “women’s org” and, say, “higher education” are mutually exclusive… unless you put a little cap and gown on a swooshy lady, I guess.

It’s a conundrum!

http://sobsister.com chelsed

i actually worked as a designer for a women’s org and struggled with this. there really isnt a “hip” way to portray women. the bathroom women icon is patronizing; these abstract squiggles and spirals appeal to an audience of women i havent yet encountered; so i just used the general woman symbol–but even then i feel like it’s TOO gender segregated. the problem is men dont HAVE a gender. men’s football is football. men’s soccer is soccer, etc etc– they dont need distinction. what is the symbol for women NOW?

J.B.

As a general thought about design, the solution is probably to make a logo not to represent “women” but to represent the focus or purpose of the organization. Not that the design shouldn’t target women or be evocative of feminine qualities, but I think the point here is that these designers think “woman” and stop thinking.

Honestly, you could probably do a similar post about any number of groups dealing with the same demographic or cause (e.g., students, churches, immigration). Mediocre design isn’t generally about total lack of technical skill but lack of creativity and originality. People go with their first or second idea, which is the same first or second idea everyone has, resulting in a handful of variations. And cash-strapped non-profits are more likely to shop Logo-Mart than hire someone who provides focused branding services.

Also, one of these is the Tempur-Pedic logo, so there’s that.

Melocoton

“the point here is that these designers think â€œwomanâ€ and stop thinking.”

Agreed. Which is why these dancing positivity squiggles strike me as so patronizing. In their way, more patronizing than the bathroom symbol because at least the bathroom lady isn’t pretending.

http://ladiesofapartment3g.blogspot.com Maggie

Agreed, it can be a tough nut to crack to create a women’s logo without using pastels and soft lines. I haven’t worked for a women’s organization, but I do wonder, even if you have a designer that thinks outside the box, how many women’s organizations will go for an outside-the-box design? The pink and the swooshes may not scream “high design,” but there is a strong brand here. You wouldn’t look at any of these logos and think “is this a logo for a women’s organization or a corporate technology start-up/federal institution/higher education facility?”

But just typing that make me think that the problem is that the ideas of “women’s org” and, say, “higher education” are mutually exclusive… unless you put a little cap and gown on a swooshy lady, I guess.

It’s a conundrum!

http://www.aniquehalliday.com Anique Halliday

Super fascinating! Thank you Shana for researching and compiling this essay. It’s disheartening to see so many women’s organizations using bland and less-than-innovative branding to promote their organizations and causes. I’ll say though, having worked with women’s orgs for years, that many of these groups have little to no funding to allocate to hire premium creative logo/branding designers and often rely either on pro-bono work or even the work of board members or staff.

This isn’t to say that pro-bono work is inherently less creative than paid work, but it’s often difficult for many women’s organizations to get amazing creative work that fits the budget. Hence we get redundant logos and even stock photos used for logos. It would be ideal if either women’s groups could get the funding to hire great branding experts or if more amazing creatives offered up a bit of their time to groups doing good work.

http://www.aniquehalliday.com Anique Halliday

Super fascinating! Thank you Shana for researching and compiling this essay. It’s disheartening to see so many women’s organizations using bland and less-than-innovative branding to promote their organizations and causes. I’ll say though, having worked with women’s orgs for years, that many of these groups have little to no funding to allocate to hire premium creative logo/branding designers and often rely either on pro-bono work or even the work of board members or staff.

This isn’t to say that pro-bono work is inherently less creative than paid work, but it’s often difficult for many women’s organizations to get amazing creative work that fits the budget. Hence we get redundant logos and even stock photos used for logos. It would be ideal if either women’s groups could get the funding to hire great branding experts or if more amazing creatives offered up a bit of their time to groups doing good work.

http://www.aniquehalliday.com Anique Halliday

Super fascinating! Thank you Shana for researching and compiling this essay. It’s disheartening to see so many women’s organizations using bland and less-than-innovative branding to promote their organizations and causes. I’ll say though, having worked with women’s orgs for years, that many of these groups have little to no funding to allocate to hire premium creative logo/branding designers and often rely either on pro-bono work or even the work of board members or staff.

This isn’t to say that pro-bono work is inherently less creative than paid work, but it’s often difficult for many women’s organizations to get amazing creative work that fits the budget. Hence we get redundant logos and even stock photos used for logos. It would be ideal if either women’s groups could get the funding to hire great branding experts or if more amazing creatives offered up a bit of their time to groups doing good work.

http://lrhcreative.com bcr8tive

I’m sorry to say that I did not recognize any of these organizations.

I do agree with Anique in that we can most likely assume that not a whole lot was budgeted for these to be created.

However what I also see here is that less experienced designers, found it easier to tag along on previously established logos, than to think outside of the box with an original, creative idea that demonstrates what the company is actually trying to convey. In other words, copying.

My suggestion? Stop looking at others work for inspiration and draw from your own creativity with your subject matter in mind. Stay away from “Googling” other logos. Payment aside, this should not be so apparent.

http://lrhcreative.com bcr8tive

I’m sorry to say that I did not recognize any of these organizations.

I do agree with Anique in that we can most likely assume that not a whole lot was budgeted for these to be created.

However what I also see here is that less experienced designers, found it easier to tag along on previously established logos, than to think outside of the box with an original, creative idea that demonstrates what the company is actually trying to convey. In other words, copying.

My suggestion? Stop looking at others work for inspiration and draw from your own creativity with your subject matter in mind. Stay away from “Googling” other logos. Payment aside, this should not be so apparent.

http://lrhcreative.com bcr8tive

I’m sorry to say that I did not recognize any of these organizations.

I do agree with Anique in that we can most likely assume that not a whole lot was budgeted for these to be created.

However what I also see here is that less experienced designers, found it easier to tag along on previously established logos, than to think outside of the box with an original, creative idea that demonstrates what the company is actually trying to convey. In other words, copying.

My suggestion? Stop looking at others work for inspiration and draw from your own creativity with your subject matter in mind. Stay away from “Googling” other logos. Payment aside, this should not be so apparent.

AmazonaWomona

This seems a little like seeing a rose for its thorns. I see lots of beautiful images on the Goddess! Did I miss something? How are squiggles depicting gender stereotypes? Is the Coca-Cola logo meant to appeal to women with its swoopy lines?

This post is missing something, an analysis as to why these images are bad. I don’t get a badness vibe here. I don’t get it.

Shana Moulton

I never intended to make a judgement call here; by compiling these images in this post I didn’t mean to say they were necessarily bad or good. I just started to notice similarities and patterns in alot of women’s health/beauty/organization logos and wondered what they would look like removed from their context and grouped together in families. Personally I think alot of these images are beautiful too—some of them are absurd— alot of them are both repel and attract me. And I wondered if together they would become more than the sum of their parts. I didn’t want to pin down their potential meanings in a written analysis myself but I’m really glad it has sparked some discussion.

AmazonaWomona

This seems a little like seeing a rose for its thorns. I see lots of beautiful images on the Goddess! Did I miss something? How are squiggles depicting gender stereotypes? Is the Coca-Cola logo meant to appeal to women with its swoopy lines?

This post is missing something, an analysis as to why these images are bad. I don’t get a badness vibe here. I don’t get it.

AmazonaWomona

This seems a little like seeing a rose for its thorns. I see lots of beautiful images on the Goddess! Did I miss something? How are squiggles depicting gender stereotypes? Is the Coca-Cola logo meant to appeal to women with its swoopy lines?

This post is missing something, an analysis as to why these images are bad. I don’t get a badness vibe here. I don’t get it.

Shana Moulton

I never intended to make a judgement call here; by compiling these images in this post I didn’t mean to say they were necessarily bad or good. I just started to notice similarities and patterns in alot of women’s health/beauty/organization logos and wondered what they would look like removed from their context and grouped together in families. Personally I think alot of these images are beautiful too—some of them are absurd— alot of them are both repel and attract me. And I wondered if together they would become more than the sum of their parts. I didn’t want to pin down their potential meanings in a written analysis myself but I’m really glad it has sparked some discussion.

Amanda Piercy

Very interesting. However, I do wonder how many logos for womens organizations you came across that did not fall into this stereotype.

Amanda Piercy

Very interesting. However, I do wonder how many logos for womens organizations you came across that did not fall into this stereotype.

Amanda Piercy

Very interesting. However, I do wonder how many logos for womens organizations you came across that did not fall into this stereotype.

http://www.whitegirlblackface.com Meadow Braun

considering that designers work from the concept of an organization and its overall mission/audience, it’s not a surprise that most of these logos represent women (successfully or not). most of the organizations represent women or even explicitly mention women in their name. i think the essay gets at a larger and deeper issue which is that we even need organizations specifically targeted to, representative of, or in the service of women. whether their logo is a soccer ball, or a woman holding a soccer ball is besides the point. i’m with you chelsed… men’s soccer is “soccer.” my concern is not only how do we create good imagery to depict women, but how do we eliminate the need?

http://www.whitegirlblackface.com Meadow Braun

considering that designers work from the concept of an organization and its overall mission/audience, it’s not a surprise that most of these logos represent women (successfully or not). most of the organizations represent women or even explicitly mention women in their name. i think the essay gets at a larger and deeper issue which is that we even need organizations specifically targeted to, representative of, or in the service of women. whether their logo is a soccer ball, or a woman holding a soccer ball is besides the point. i’m with you chelsed… men’s soccer is “soccer.” my concern is not only how do we create good imagery to depict women, but how do we eliminate the need?

http://www.whitegirlblackface.com Meadow Braun

considering that designers work from the concept of an organization and its overall mission/audience, it’s not a surprise that most of these logos represent women (successfully or not). most of the organizations represent women or even explicitly mention women in their name. i think the essay gets at a larger and deeper issue which is that we even need organizations specifically targeted to, representative of, or in the service of women. whether their logo is a soccer ball, or a woman holding a soccer ball is besides the point. i’m with you chelsed… men’s soccer is “soccer.” my concern is not only how do we create good imagery to depict women, but how do we eliminate the need?

Elizabeth

Just to play devil’s advocate, it seems that a logo looking the same as others isn’t necessarily a bad thing in some circumstances. If your goal is to build a national organization with a uniquely recognizable brand, then this is certainly not the way to go – but if you’re running a small, local organization (say, a maternity clinic or a shelter for abused women) then having your logo look like other women’s organizations’ logos may help people identify you as a women’s organization, too.

Elizabeth

Just to play devil’s advocate, it seems that a logo looking the same as others isn’t necessarily a bad thing in some circumstances. If your goal is to build a national organization with a uniquely recognizable brand, then this is certainly not the way to go – but if you’re running a small, local organization (say, a maternity clinic or a shelter for abused women) then having your logo look like other women’s organizations’ logos may help people identify you as a women’s organization, too.

Elizabeth

Just to play devil’s advocate, it seems that a logo looking the same as others isn’t necessarily a bad thing in some circumstances. If your goal is to build a national organization with a uniquely recognizable brand, then this is certainly not the way to go – but if you’re running a small, local organization (say, a maternity clinic or a shelter for abused women) then having your logo look like other women’s organizations’ logos may help people identify you as a women’s organization, too.

The problem with performing pro-bono work can often be the time factor. Everyone’s got to make a living. As a designer, I know that creating a truly good and original logo can eat up a lot of time. Thus the temptation will be to garnish existing ideas and alter, in cases where pro bono time will affect time for billable clients. Not making a judgement call on this strategy, its just a dose of reality.
Nice work on the collection- we’ve noticed this also but weren’t aware of the numbers of examples to be found.

http://www.bigorangeplanet.com Ally

The problem with performing pro-bono work can often be the time factor. Everyone’s got to make a living. As a designer, I know that creating a truly good and original logo can eat up a lot of time. Thus the temptation will be to garnish existing ideas and alter, in cases where pro bono time will affect time for billable clients. Not making a judgement call on this strategy, its just a dose of reality.
Nice work on the collection- we’ve noticed this also but weren’t aware of the numbers of examples to be found.

Ollie

I think it could also be interesting to compare logo styles of today with logo styles of past eras (although I realize that the existence of women-focused groups and products has increased with time, so the amount of material for earlier eras could be much less). In what time frame (years) were these logos shown here created? Would a similar analysis of logos created in different time periods yield such a strong correlation as well? Upon comparing logo mods of different generations, is there a certain trend to be recognized as time progresses? All questions to the artist, and all others who may be interested in researching.

Ollie

I think it could also be interesting to compare logo styles of today with logo styles of past eras (although I realize that the existence of women-focused groups and products has increased with time, so the amount of material for earlier eras could be much less). In what time frame (years) were these logos shown here created? Would a similar analysis of logos created in different time periods yield such a strong correlation as well? Upon comparing logo mods of different generations, is there a certain trend to be recognized as time progresses? All questions to the artist, and all others who may be interested in researching.

Fortunately this critique speaks more loudly than Shana Moulton’s attempt to back away from it by saying “I never intended to make a judgment call here; by compiling these images in this post I didnâ€™t mean to say they were necessarily bad or good.”

If mediocre can be considered bad, these logos are mostly bad. A little testosterone might not hurt here, in the critical assertion department.

http://tommoody.us tom moody

Fortunately this critique speaks more loudly than Shana Moulton’s attempt to back away from it by saying “I never intended to make a judgment call here; by compiling these images in this post I didnâ€™t mean to say they were necessarily bad or good.”

If mediocre can be considered bad, these logos are mostly bad. A little testosterone might not hurt here, in the critical assertion department.

http://tommoody.us tom moody

Fortunately this critique speaks more loudly than Shana Moulton’s attempt to back away from it by saying “I never intended to make a judgment call here; by compiling these images in this post I didnâ€™t mean to say they were necessarily bad or good.”

If mediocre can be considered bad, these logos are mostly bad. A little testosterone might not hurt here, in the critical assertion department.

http://tommoody.us tom moody

Fortunately this critique speaks more loudly than Shana Moulton’s attempt to back away from it by saying “I never intended to make a judgment call here; by compiling these images in this post I didnâ€™t mean to say they were necessarily bad or good.”

If mediocre can be considered bad, these logos are mostly bad. A little testosterone might not hurt here, in the critical assertion department.

Showing up late, but I get the benefit of this “focus group” that Mad Men would die for. Great work Shana, I’d love to see this research go into more specific information like: How many of these logos were designed by women? What sources were they cribbing their ideas from (I counted Matisse, Cycladic sculpture, Peter Max, the Three Graces and the Breast Cancer Ribbon, just to start.) Color choices (When did pastel become the sole realm of the feminine?) Sign, symbol, and text, which is more effective?
The responses have also bee enlightening, funny and frightening (A logo can be patronizing? Kinda like saying the letter M is overbearing.)
As someone whose worked in graphic design, it seems that the real questions weren’t even asked. But for fear of offending, I’ll keep those to my testosterone drenched self.

http://www.lorenmunk.com James Kalm

Showing up late, but I get the benefit of this “focus group” that Mad Men would die for. Great work Shana, I’d love to see this research go into more specific information like: How many of these logos were designed by women? What sources were they cribbing their ideas from (I counted Matisse, Cycladic sculpture, Peter Max, the Three Graces and the Breast Cancer Ribbon, just to start.) Color choices (When did pastel become the sole realm of the feminine?) Sign, symbol, and text, which is more effective?
The responses have also bee enlightening, funny and frightening (A logo can be patronizing? Kinda like saying the letter M is overbearing.)
As someone whose worked in graphic design, it seems that the real questions weren’t even asked. But for fear of offending, I’ll keep those to my testosterone drenched self.

Julia

Only a few of these pictures seem to be logos.

Julia

Only a few of these pictures seem to be logos.

http://ladiesofapartment3g.blogspot.com Maggie

I like to think the swooshy ladies are all saying “Yeah!!” as they strike their poses, kind of the way Lil John says “yeah.” It’s funny!

Some of these are definitely better than others; for example, if the the teal swooshy lady near the top is for a Korean women’s organization, as I would surmise from the brush stroke quality and the shapes in general, it’s pretty clever. That said, it’s striking to see the similarities, and how many times we dip back to the same couple of wells (swooshy ladies, Girl Scout-like faces, the state of Nebraska etc.). I think I’ve noticed it subconsciously, but it’s fascinating to see it laid out like this, back to back to back to back… Nice essay. And thanks for letting us draw our own conclusions.

http://ladiesofapartment3g.blogspot.com Maggie

I like to think the swooshy ladies are all saying “Yeah!!” as they strike their poses, kind of the way Lil John says “yeah.” It’s funny!

Some of these are definitely better than others; for example, if the the teal swooshy lady near the top is for a Korean women’s organization, as I would surmise from the brush stroke quality and the shapes in general, it’s pretty clever. That said, it’s striking to see the similarities, and how many times we dip back to the same couple of wells (swooshy ladies, Girl Scout-like faces, the state of Nebraska etc.). I think I’ve noticed it subconsciously, but it’s fascinating to see it laid out like this, back to back to back to back… Nice essay. And thanks for letting us draw our own conclusions.